Moving your UK business to Dubai? The right structure will decide whether your move is smooth and compliant — or a costly misstep. This guide uses two simple visuals to help you map your options, choose between Freezone and Mainland, and secure your tax-free base.

Step 1 – Map Your Move

Before choosing a license, decide how your UK Ltd fits into your Dubai plan. Will it keep trading as a subcontractor, or will you migrate all operations to a UAE entity?

What the flowchart tells you:

• If UAE sales are planned → Mainland LLC or Freezone with local agent.
• If no UAE retail sales → Freezone FZ-LLC is faster and lower cost.
• Either way, align banking, visa, and control shifts with SRT to keep HMRC out of the picture.

Step 2 – Compare Your Options

Once you’ve picked your route, the next question is where you’ll license your company.

Decision factors:

• Cost: Freezone is leaner; Mainland offers full local access.
• Sales Rights: Mainland = direct UAE sales; Freezone = global only without an agent.
• Banking: Both offer strong corporate banking — choose based on trade patterns.

Step 3 – Act Fast on Compliance

To lock in your 0% UAE tax position:

1. Secure your UAE visa early — it starts your tax exit clock.
2. Open a UAE corporate bank account.
3. Migrate contracts, IP, and control into your UAE entity before SRT deadlines.

Book a Private UAE Structuring Call to get a tailored plan for your move.

Explore More – Set Up a Business in Dubai from the UK: Step-by-Step in 2025

This article is part of the Dubai Shift content series on legal UAE business setups for UK founders, covering Freezone vs Mainland licensing, sales rights, and compliant tax-free structures. Explore more at: https://dubaishift.com

Haseena from Dubai

A founder, a Dubai insider, globally seasoned. Writing to you from the city I’ve always called home — but now see with fresh eyes.